Thursday, June 23, 2016

Grand Ole Opry 6/24 & 6/25

The Grand Ole Opry is set to roll for another Friday and Saturday night and the line-ups have been posted. Some interesting names are listed, with the most prominent being that of Hall of Famer, and Grand Ole Opry member, Roy Clark. It is nice to see Roy back on the Opry for the second time this year. He is set to appear on Friday night, along with fellow Opry members Jeannie Seely, Mike Snider, John Conlee, Jesse McReynolds, Connie Smith and Riders In The Sky. Jeannie, John, Mike and Riders are also scheduled for Saturday night, where they will be joined by Larry, Steve and Rudy Gatlin, The Whites and Bobby Osborne. Among the guest artists this weekend, Friday night will feature a return appearance by Shenandoah. They had previously made an Opry appearance earlier this year, after being away from the Opry for decades. They sounded great and were very well received. Joining them will be another group that I really enjoy and that is Fiddlin' Carson Peters Band. I saw this group when they were performing at the Opry Plaza during last year's 90th birthday weekend, and they are really great. Carson is a very talented young man and his family does a great job backing him up. Also set for Friday is Carly Pearce and Darryl Worley, both of whom have made frequent Opry appearances. Saturday night will feature a couple of newcomers to the Opry stage, Brett Young and Town Mountain. For Town Mountain, this will be their Grand Ole Opry debut and they should fit right in, being a string band from North Carolina. Both will be joined by Smithfield, Keith & Kristyn Getty and Mandy Barnett. Friday June 247:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Carly Pearce; Mike Snider7:30: John Conlee (host); Jesse McReynolds; ShenandoahIntermission8:15: Connie Smith (host); Roy Clark8:45: Riders In The Sky (host); Fiddlin' Carson Peters Band; Darryl WorleySaturday June 257:00: Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers (host); Smithfield; Mike Snider7:30: Jeannie Seely (host); The Whites; Keith & Kristyn GettyIntermission8:15: John Conlee (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Brett Young; Opry Square Dancers8:45: Riders In The Sky (host); Town Mountain; Mandy BarnettThat comes out to 11 acts on Friday night, of whom 7 are Opry members, and 12 acts on Saturday night, again with 7 members of the Opry. And now, here is the posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from five years ago this weekend, June 24 & 25, 2011: Friday June 247:00: Riders In The Sky (host); Jimmy C Newman; Jim Lauderdale7:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Buddy JewellIntermission8:15: Ray Pillow (host); Bucky Covington; Del McCoury Band8:45: Mike Snider (host); Connie Smith; Crystal GayleSaturday June 257:00: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jesse McReynolds; Frankie Ballard7:30: The Whites (host); Jimmy C Newman; Del McCoury BandIntermission8:15: Ray Pillow (host); Foster & Lloyd; Opry Square Dancers8:45: Jim Ed Brown (host); Connie Smith; Dailey & VincentNow from ten years ago, the weekend of June 23 & 24, 2006:Friday June 238:00: Jeannie Seely (host); The Whites; Old Crow Medicine Show8:30: Jimmy C Newman (host); Mel McDaniel; Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; George Canyon9:00: John Conlee (host); Connie Smith; The Vanderbilt Kennedy Music Camp Performers; Rodney Atkins9:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); w/Helen Cornelius; Jan Howard; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Jeff BatesSaturday June 241st show6:30: John Conlee (host); Connie Smith; John Cowan7:00: Jim Ed Brown (host); w/Helen Cornelius; Eddy Raven; Old Crow Medicine Show7:30: Jimmy C Newman (host); Rodney Atkins; Mountain Heart8:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Charlie Walker; Alecia Nugent; Opry Square Dancers8:30: Ricky Skaggs (host); Jennifer Hanson; The Whites2nd show9:30: John Conlee (host); Connie Smith; Old Crow Medicine Show10:00: Jim Ed Brown (host); w/Helen Cornelius; Eddy Raven; Mountain Heart10:30: Jimmy C Newman (host); Billy Yates; Alecia Nugent; Opry Square Dancers11:00: Ricky Skaggs (host); The Whites; Rodney Atkins11:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Jennifer Hanson; John CowanFinally, from fifteen years ago, the weekend of June 22 & 23, 2001: Friday June 227:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Connie Smith; Bill Carlisle; The Derailers8:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Stu Phillips; Hal Ketchum8:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jan Howard; Charlie Walker; David Ball9:00: Bill Anderson (host); Charlie Louvin; Leslie Satcher; Jimmy C Newman9:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); The Whites; Mandy BarnettSaturday June 231st show6:30: Jimmy C Newman (host); Connie Smith; Bill Carlisle; Danni Leigh; Mike Snider7:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Jan Howard; Stonewall Jackson; Mandy Barnett7:30: Bill Anderson (host); David Ball; Hal Ketchum8:00: Jim Ed Brown (host); Del Reeves; Opry Square Dance Band; Melvin Sloan Dancers8:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jeannie Seely; Mandy Barnett2nd show9:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Connie Smith; Roy Drusky; Hal Ketchum10:00: Jimmy Dickens (host); Del Reeves; Jimmy C Newman; David Ball10:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Hank Locklin; Mandy Barnett; Opry Square Dance Band; Melvin Sloan Dancers11:00: Bill Anderson (host); Mike Snider11:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Ray Pillow; Charlie Nagatani; Danni LeighFor this week's featured Opry line-up, it was 50 years ago Saturday night, as on June 25, 1966 Willie Nelson performed his final time as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Willie had joined the Opry in November 1964. It has been written and documented many times that Willie felt that Nashville and the Opry were just not right for him, as his career as a singer was not going anywhere. Willie made the decision to return to the Austin, Texas area, and the rest is history. Here is the running order from Willie's final night as an Opry member. 6:30: Mrs GrissomsErnest Ashworth (host) (?)(?)6:45: Rudy'sBill Anderson (host): Po FolksJeannie Seely: Don't Touch MeJimmy Gately: Old FaithfulBill Anderson: I Love You Drops7:00: Osborne Brothers (host): Up This Hill & DownBilly Walker: Funny How Time Slips AwayConnie Smith: If I Talk to HimRoy Drusky: Rainbows & RosesOsborne Brothers: (?)Roy Drusky: Alone with YouConnie Smith: Even ThoBilly Walker: Down to My Last CigaretteOsborne Brothers: I'll Be Alright TomorrowJerry Byrd: The Married Man7:30: LuzianneGeorge Morgan (host): No Man Should Hurt As Bad As I DoDottie West: Would You Hold It Against MeDel Wood: RainbowChuck Wagon Gang: I'm Getting ReadyGeorge Morgan; AlmostStu Phillips: Mansion on the HillDottie West: Don't You Ever Get Tired of Hurting MeGeorge Morgan: Who, At My Door Is Standing8:00: Martha WhitePorter Wagoner (host): Country Music Has Gone to TownOsborne Brothers: Up this Hill & DownCrook Brothers: Sally GoodinArchie Campbell: ComedyCousin Jody: Wabash CannonballPorter Wagoner: I Dreamed I Saw America on Her KneesGeorge McCormick: Where the Old Red River FlowsOsborne Brothers: Hard TimeMack MaGaha: Katy Hill8:30: StephensErnest Tubb (host): Two Glasses JoeLoretta Lynn: You Ain't Woman EnoughWilburn Brothers: I Can't Keep Away From YouWillie Nelson: I Love You BecauseErnest Tubb: Letters Have No ArmsLoretta Lynn: Before I'm Over YouWilburn Brothers & Loretta Lynn: Put It Off Until TomorrowWillie Nelson: I'm Still Not Over YouErnest Tubb: Give Me A Little Old Fashioned Love9:00: Pet MilkHank Locklin (host): Crying TimeJean Shepard: Ain't You AshamedRay Pillow: Common Cold & A Broken HeartBill Carlisle: Take This Country Music & Shove ItHank Locklin: Send Me the Pillow You Dream onDuane Dee: Danny BoyJean Shepard & Ray Pillow: I'll Take the DogBill Carlisle: The Great SnowmanHank Locklin: Y'All Come9:30: Kellogg'sHank Snow (host): The Count DownWillis Brothers: Private LeeGeorge Morgan: No Man Should Hurt As Bad As I DoGrandpa Jones: Kitty ClydeHank Snow: I've Cried A MileFruit Jar Drinkers: Walking In My SleepGeorge Morgan: You're The Only Good ThingGrandpa Jones: Nobody Knows But MeHank Snow: I Don't Hurt Anymore10:00: SchickBill Anderson (host): You Don't Want My LoveDottie West: Would You Hold it Against MeErnest Ashworth: At Ease HeartBill Anderson: Bright Lights and Country Music10:15: PurePorter Wagoner (host): DooleyGeorge McCormick: There's A WomanBill Carlisle: No Help WantedPorter Wagoner: I'll Go Down Swinging/I've Enjoyed As Much of This As I Can Stand/Misery Loves Company/Sorrow on the RockMac MaGaha & Buck Trent: Turkey in the Straw10:30: Harvey'sRay Pillow (host): Thank You Ma'amJean Shepard: Many Happy Hangovers to YouDel Wood: Blue Moon of KentuckyRay Pillow: Six Days on the Road10:45: NewportErnest Tubb (host): Thanks A LotHank Locklin: I Can't Stop Loving YouCrook Brothers/Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Mississippi SawyerErnest Tubb: Mr. Juke Box11:00: Coca-ColaHank Snow (host): I've Been EverywhereLoretta Lynn: You Ain't Woman EnoughWilburn Brothers: I Can't Keep Away From YouFruit Jar Drinkers: (?)Hank Snow: Down the Trail of Aching HeartsSam McGee: Victory RagLoretta Lynn: How Great Thou ArtOsborne Brothers: Hard TimeHank Snow: I'm Moving On11:30: LavaBobby Lord (host): That's All RightDuane Dee: Take Good Care of HerArchie Campbell: The Men in My Little Girl's LifeWillis Brothers: Diamonds On Your HandsChuck Wagon Gang: Cabin on the HillBobby Lord: Lonely StreetCousin Jody: Mocking BirdBobby Lord: HawkeyeThe name that some of you may not recognize from the Opry that night was Duane Dee.

Duane Dee is an American country singer known for his many guest appearances at the Grand Ole Opry and also for a series of minor hits on the country charts, sometimes with songs that went on to be major hits for other artists.

Just had a chance to listen to the re-play on XM of the Friday Night Opry - two of the best and most received acts were JesseMcReynolds and Carson Peters !! NOT impressed with Carly Pearce and Tara Thompson (believe that was the name Connie introduced);Mike Snider, Connie, Riders, Daryl Worley were their usual great performances; Roy Clark's voice is getting pretty weak - but bottom line, the bluegrass acts were the best Mike, Jesse, Carson (loud applause for all of them, more so than all the others). Daryl Worley is very articulate and humble, great stage presence.the

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About Me

I am a nationally recognized independent historian of the Grand Ole Opry. In addition to being the publisher and writer of Fayfare's Opry Blog, I have also researched Opry information for numerous authors and interested Opry fans. A resident of Canton, Ohio, I have attended hundreds of Grand Ole Opry shows since my first visit to Nashville in 1973. I can be contacted via email at bfay54@gmail.com